ROUIS SEEKS RELIEF FOR COUNTY RESIDENTS AFFECTED BY HURRICANE IRENE AND TROPICAL STORM LEE, FROM PENALTIES AND INTEREST RELATED TO PAYMENTS ON SCHOOL TAXES

Tuesday, September 20, 2011

(Monticello, NY - 4:30 PM) – Sullivan County Legislature Chairman Jonathan F. Rouis is seeking relief for Sullivan county residents that were affected by Hurricane Irene and Tropical Storm Lee, from penalties and interest related to payments on school taxes. Governor Andrew M. Cuomo has granted penalty-and-interest-free extensions on school tax payments in areas affected by these storms, in certain school districts in Ulster County.

“Today, I have sent a letter to all School District Superintendants and School Board Presidents within Sullivan County, recommending that they formally request approval for a penalty-and-interest-free extension on school tax payments for the property owners in Sullivan County. The New York State Department of Taxation and Finance will consider requests from the individual school districts.

There are many of our property owners that suffered damage and financial loss from these storm events that now have placed many of our residents in an unanticipated financial hardship. Accordingly, I have respectfully requested that each school district take the necessary action to formally request relief for the property taxpayers in your school district, by requesting approval for residents to be granted penalty-and-interest-free extensions on paying school taxes for bills that were sent on September 1, 2011,” said Rouis.